Businesses scoring at cash register from Penguins' playoff run

First-round series brought $3.2 million in direct spending to Pittsburgh

The Stanley Cup Playoffs have historically pulled dollars into the Allegheny County economy in a variety of ways. Spending in restaurants, hotels and for team merchandise combined in the Penguins' first-round series against the New York Islanders accounted for $3.2 million in estimated direct spending.

But Visit Pittsburgh, which promotes the Pittsburgh region nationally, estimated that the second round will result in $3.6 million in direct spending.

Why the increase? Jim Coen, who owns Yinzers, a merchandise store in the Strip District, said it has to do with recent Penguin playoff history.

"First of all, we lost the last three years in the first round. The other reason is the excitement builds," Coen said.

Coen points out that in a seven-game series, fans pace their souvenir buying, but they tend to splurge in the conference games and the Stanley Cup Finals.

As for local restaurants like Pizza Milano right next to home ice at Consol Energy Center, the overtime win by the team on Saturday night ensured that employees would not see their hours cut.

"The extra hockey games definitely help the people make a little bit more money," employee Joe Kerr said.

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